Previews

UFC 2009: Undisputed

Spiffy:

Graphics and collision detection are outstanding; player renderings are detailed and accurate; announcing actually adds to experience.

Iffy:

No broken bones may disappoint those looking for gore.

The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts is absolutely surging right now, leading many sports pundits to wonder aloud if boxing is dead. Considering that the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the top league in the sport, as well as the main demographic the UFC appeals to (male 18-34, to be specific), a more relevant question might actually have asked when we'll see a great UFC videogame. While we won't find out for sure until THQ releases the game in early spring, UFC 2009: Undisputed looks like it at least has the chance to satisfy MMA's legions of fans.

When did we come to this conclusion? Oddly, it was immediately after getting knocked out in brutal fashion. THQ came to our office yesterday to show off their latest demo by recreating three of the matches from "UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008," the upcoming Pay-Per-View taking place December 27 in Las Vegas: Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir and Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Fans of Rampage might have wanted to turn their heads when we were controlling him, as Jackson took a massive left hook to the jaw to end the fight midway through the second round. For those who love watching a knockout no matter who's taking the punishment, it was a beautiful sight. In real time, the collision detection was outstanding, with none of the clipping that can pop up in THQ's otherwise steady wrestling titles. THQ says one of the game's pillars is "zero interpenetration," and with 60 frame-per-second animation, the action looks great. The slow-motion replays showed the results of the powerful punch in more dramatic detail. Upon impact, Jackson's mouthpiece flew out, followed by a generous combination of blood and spit. Rampage's whole body went limp, his head snapping from the impact of Silva's punch and his body crumbling towards the mat in a heap. It's the type of knockout that keeps people watching UFC Pay-Per-Views.

You have the option of seeing the stamina meters for both fighters, but after playing all three matches, we feel that playing without HUD is the way to go. Why? One of the great things about watching a UFC fight is a knockout can seemingly come out of nowhere. In UFC 2009: Undisputed, if you're paying too much attention to the stamina levels, you might catch one on the chin that'll end your night prematurely (like Rampage). Not every huge blow results in a knockout, however. If you really connect a good kick or punch the on-screen colors desaturate, as a dull hum takes over the speakers -- the sound someone hears when they get their bell rung. You won't be guaranteed a win if you put your opponent in this predicament, as the right defense and reversal can turn the tide. If you finish the job, ring announcer Bruce Buffer will soon announce your victory as the referee raises your arm. We were able to take advantage of clouding our opponent's brain as Evans by pulling a nasty Kimura submission on Griffin that made him tap within three seconds.

We liked the fighting controls as they were set up yesterday, though they are subject to change. What looks to stay the same is that two buttons will be for kicks and two for punches, while the left analog stick controls where your fighter walks or runs. The right stick will handle much of the nuance of the game, including clinches, transitions and submissions. The D-pad won't be rendered absolutely useless, as it will allow you to taunt your opponent or tap gloves with him as the fight begins. There's a lot of subtlety to the fighting, and you can go from mounting your opponent to getting transitioned into an armbar in an instant. Speaking of armbars, those hoping for gruesome depictions of broken bones might be disappointed, as fighters will always tap out before bones snap. Don't fret though; there are tons of blood spots on the mat during every fight, and they don't go away. While the cuts we saw didn't get into the gory "baby's-mouth" realm, they didn't vanish after a round or two either.